Gallery of the Masters Fine Art Gallery

Alexander Francois Desportes

1661-1743 France/Baroque

Brief Biography-Alexander Francois Desportes from Champigneulle, Ardennes was tutored by Nicasius Bernaerts the Flemish painter of animals who was a disciple of Frans Snyders. He began his career painting portraits, particularly for Jan Sobieski, John III of Poland. When he went to London in the train of the Duke d’Aumont, who was ambassador to England for France, his paintings were well received and he sold all his undertaken there. He subsequently returned to Paris and entered the Académie Royale and won the favour of Louis XIV. He painted hunt scenes and animals for both Louis XIV and Luis XV. In 1704, he was made councillor at the Académie Royale. The royal patronage lasted almost fifty years. The painter of animals, Jean Baptiste Oudry was the only other artist to rival his works in the genre for the period. Desportes son, Claude Francois and his nephew Nicolas also became successful artists. Claude painted animals and Nicolas was converted to portrait painting under the tuition of Hyacinthe Rigaud.